City of Santa Rosa City Hall, Council
Chamber
100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA AND
SUMMARY REPORT
DECEMBER 16, 2025
4:00 P.M. - INTERVIEWS FOR BOARDS, COMMISSIONS
AND COMMITTEES / REGULAR SESSION
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING BY
ATTENDING IN-PERSON FROM COUNCIL CHAMBER AT
100 SANTA ROSA AVENUE, SANTA ROSA.
THE PUBLIC CAN ALSO VIEW OR LISTEN TO THE MEETING LIVE AT:
1. HTTPS://SANTA-ROSA.LEGISTAR.COM/CALENDAR. CLICK ON THE "IN PROGRESS" LINK TO VIEW;
2. VIA ZOOM WEBINAR BY VISITING
HTTPS://SRCITY-ORG.ZOOM.US/J/84471867952, OR BY DIALING 877-853-5257 AND ENTERING WEBINAR ID: 844 7186 7952;
3. COMCAST CHANNEL 28, AT&T U-VERSE CHANNEL 99; AND
4. VIA YOUTUBE AT HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CITYOFSANTAROSA Public Comment may be made live during the meeting
In-Person from Council Chamber or submitted in advance
via email at [email protected] by 5:00 p.m. the
Monday before the City Council Meeting.
IN THE EVENT A COUNCIL MEMBER PARTICIPATES REMOTELY BASED
ON JUST CAUSE OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES PURSUANT TO
AB 2449, THE CITY WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
THROUGH THE ZOOM LINK OR DIAL-IN NUMBER ABOVE.
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL E-MAILS SENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL ARE
CONSIDERED TO BE PUBLIC RECORDS AND SUBJECT TO
DISCLOSURE UNDER THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.
DEADLINES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTION FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT ARE SET FORTH BELOW.
COUNCIL MAY RECESS DURING THE EVENING FOR BREAKS.
PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS WILL BEGIN NO EARLIER THAN 5:00 P.M.
MATTERS ON THE AGENDA MAY BE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Except for public hearing items, comments from the public will be allowed on all agenda items at the time each item is called. Comments on public hearing items may be made when the hearing is opened.
Live Public Comment: Members of the public can provide comment on an Agenda Item In-Person from Council Chamber by completing a Speaker Card or signing up with the Administrator in Council Chamber.
Advanced Public Comment Via E-mail: To submit an e-mailed public comment to the City Council, please send to: [email protected] by 5:00 p.m., the Monday prior to the Council Meeting. Identify in the subject line of your e-mail the Agenda Item Number on which you wish to comment, and provide your name and comment in the body of the e-mail. E-mail public comments received by the deadline will be distributed to City Council members and uploaded to the agenda prior to the start of the City Council Meeting for public access.
Non-Agenda Items are the time when any person may address the Council on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. The first public comment period on non-agenda items (Agenda Item 15) will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and will be limited to twelve speakers selected randomly by the Mayor. Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
speak during this time will be allowed to make public comment under Agenda Item 19.
4:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
2. REMOTE PARTICIPATION UNDER AB 2449 (IF NEEDED)
To consider and take action on any request from a Council Member to participate in a meeting remotely due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances pursuant to AB 2449 (Government Code Section 549539(f)).
3. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS - NONE.
Following the announcement of Closed Session items and prior to recess into Closed Session, the public may speak up to three minutes on items to be addressed in Closed Session.
RECESS CLOSED SESSION(S) AND RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AND VIA ZOOM.
4. INTERVIEWS FOR BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
4.1 HOUSING AUTHORITY INTERVIEWS
The Council will conduct interviews for one At-Large Housing Authority vacancy.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Notice of Applicaiton Availability
Attachment 2 - Council Policy 000-06
Attachment 3 - HA Resolution
Late Correspondence (Uploaded 12-16-2025)
Attachments:
5. STUDY SESSION - NONE.
Study Session items are items for in-depth discussion and possible direction to staff. No action will be taken.
6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROLL CALL (IF NEEDED)
7. REPORT, IF ANY, ON STUDY AND CLOSED SESSIONS
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
8. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - NONE.
9. STAFF BRIEFINGS - NONE.
This time is reserved for City staff to provide a five-minute briefing to the Council on departmental issues of interest. No action will be taken on these matters except to possibly place a particular item on a future agenda for Council consideration.
10. CITY MANAGER’S/CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORTS
10.1 REPORT OF SETTLEMENTS AND ACTIVE LITIGATION
The City Attorney will report on all settlements authorized by Council in closed session that were finalized in November 2025, which includes but may not be limited to all settlements requiring the City to pay more than $50,000. The City Attorney will also provide a summary of pending litigation against the City.
Litigation ReportAttachments:
11. STATEMENTS OF ABSTENTION/RECUSAL BY COUNCIL MEMBERS
12. MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS’ REPORTS
12.1 MAYOR'S/COUNCIL MEMBERS' SUBCOMMITTEE AND LIAISON
REPORTS (AND POSSIBLE COUNCIL DIRECTION TO BOARD
REPRESENTATIVE ON PENDING ISSUES, IF NEEDED)
12.1.1 Council Subcommittee Reports
12.1.2 Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA)
12.1.3 Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) - Water Advisory Committee
12.1.4 Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
12.1.5 Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District Advisory Committee
12.1.6 Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCPA)
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
12.1.7 Zero Waste Sonoma (formerly known as Sonoma County Waste Management Agency (SCWMA))
12.1.8 Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)
12.1.9 Sonoma County Homeless Coalition
12.1.10 Renewal Enterprise District (RED)
12.1.11 Public Safety Subcommittee
12.1.12 Other
12.2 BOARD, COMMISSION & COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
12.2.1 COUNCIL MAY VOTE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO THE
HOUSING AUTHORITY
The Council, by motion, may appoint one member to fill an At-Large vacancy with a term expiring December 31, 2026.
13. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
13.1 December 2, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
Draft MinutesAttachments:
14. CONSENT ITEMS
14.1 MOTION - APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO BLANKET
PURCHASE ORDER NUMBER 174020 WITH CREAM’S TOWING,
INC.
RECOMMENDATION: The Police and Finance Departments
recommend that the Council, by motion, approve the First Amendment to Blanket Purchase Order Number 174020 with Cream’s Towing, Inc., Santa Rosa, California to increase compensation in the amount of $200,000, for a total contract not to exceed $295,000 and authorize the Purchasing Agent to make non-substantive changes to the blanket purchase order and execute the Amendment. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
Staff ReportAttachments:
14.2 MOTION - RATIFICATION ON US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY MIDSIZE AND LARGE DRINKING WATER SYSTEM
INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY GRANT
PROGRAM APPLICATION
RECOMMENDATION: The Santa Rosa Water Department
recommends that the Council, by motion, ratify the submission of the grant application, dated October 5, 2025. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 – Farmers Lane WTP Grant Application Summary Narrative Attachments:
14.3 MOTION - APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO BLANKET PURCHASE ORDER 170867 WITH CIVIC PROUD ENTERPRISES, INC. DBA
FASTSIGNS
RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works and Finance Departments recommend that the Council, by motion, approve the Third Amendment to Blanket Purchase Order 170867 with Civic Proud Enterprises, Inc. dba FASTSIGNS of Santa Rosa and Petaluma (FASTSIGNS), California to extend the term and increase compensation in the amount of $85,000, for a total not to exceed amount of $185,000, and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute the changes to the Blanket Purchase Order. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff ReportAttachments:
14.4 MOTION - CONTRACT AWARD - SONOMA AVENUE PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION - FARMERS LANE TO HAHMAN DRIVE
RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works
Department recommends that the Council, by motion, award Contract Number C02261, Sonoma Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation - Farmers Lane to Hahman Drive, in the amount of $1,459,629 to the lowest responsible bidder, Ghilotti Bros., Inc, of San Rafael, California, approve a 20% contract contingency in the amount of $291,925.80 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the Contract and Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
any change orders in a total contract amount of $1,751,554.80. The source of funds are Capital Facilities Fee and Water Enterprise Funds.
No City General Fund money is included in this project.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Location Map
Attachment 2 - Bid Summary
Attachments:
14.5 RESOLUTION - APPROVAL OF NEW MASTER PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE AGREEMENT, REVISION TO THE SCOPE OF SERVICES
LIST AND AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE PROJECT WORK
ORDERS UNDER THE AGREEMENTS
RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works
Department recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve one (1) Master Professional Services Agreement (MPSA) for Cinquini & Passarino Inc.; 2) amend the MPSA Program Scope of Services list to include Hogan Land Services and Cinquini & Passarino Inc. under the Land Surveying category; 3) delegate authority to certain staff to execute the Master Professional Services Agreements; and 4) delegate authority to certain staff to execute Project Work Orders issued under the Master Professional Services Agreements. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Resolution
Exhibit A - MPSA Scope of Services
Exhibit B - MPSA Agreement Form
Attachments:
14.6 RESOLUTION - THIRD AMENDMENT AND ASSIGNMENT AND
ASSUMPTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
NUMBER F008324 WITH GENERAL CODE PUBLISHING, LLC
RECOMMENDATION: The City Clerk’s Office recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) ratify the Second Amendment to Professional Services Agreement Number F008324 with Quality Code Publishing, LLC and associated compensation changes of $50,000 and payments; 2) approve the Third Amendment and Assignment and Assumption of Professional Services Agreement Number F008324 with General Code, LLC, Rochester, New York revising the scope of services and Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
increasing compensation in the amount of $100,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $212,882.18; and 3) authorize the City Manager or designee to make non-substantive changes to the Third Amendment, subject to approval by the City Attorney, and execute the Third Amendment and Assignment and Assumption. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Original Agreement F008324
Attachment 2 - First Amendment
Attachment 3 - Second Amendment
Resolution
Exhibit A
Attachments:
14.7 RESOLUTION - AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXAMINATION OF
TRANSACTIONS (SALES) AND USE TAX RECORDS
RECOMMENDATION: The Finance Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, authorize designated City of Santa Rosa officials and the City’s revenue analysis and support services consultant, Hinderliter, de Llamas & Associates to examine confidential transactions (sales) and use tax records of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration in accordance with the California Revenue and Taxation Code. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Resolution
Attachments:
14.8 ORDINANCE ADOPTION SECOND READING - ORDINANCE
ENTITLED: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ROSA AMENDING CHAPTERS 11-08 AND 11-20 OF THE
SANTA ROSA CITY CODE TO UPDATE STAFF DELEGATIONS AND
TITLES AND REMOVE REQUIREMENT OF COUNCIL APPROVAL TO
INSTALL MIDBLOCK CROSSWALKS, ROAD UNDULATIONS AND
OTHER TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
RECOMMENDATION: The Transportation and Public Works
Department recommends that the Council approve the second reading and adopt an ordinance revising staff delegations entitled Chapter 11-08 and 11-20 of the City Code. This ordinance, introduced at the Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
December 2, 2025, Regular Meeting, passed by a 7-0-0-0 vote.
OrdinanceAttachments:
14.9 ORDINANCE ADOPTION SECOND READING - ORDINANCE
ENTITLED: ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ROSA ESTABLISHING MONTHLY SALARY OF $24,266.66
($291,200 ANNUALLY) AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND
BENEFITS FOR THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION: The Council recommends approval of the
second reading and adoption of an ordinance establishing a monthly salary of $24,266.66 ($291,200 annually) and other compensation and benefits for the Interim City Manager effective January 2, 2026. This ordinance, introduced at the December 2, 2025, Regular Meeting, passed by a 7-0-0-0 vote.
OrdinanceAttachments:
14.10 RESOLUTION - AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CLASSIFICATION AND
SALARY PLAN INCREASING THE TOP OF THE SALARY RANGE OF
THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, POLICE CHIEF, FIRE CHIEF,
WATER DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC
WORKS, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CHIEF INFORMATION
OFFICER, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY SERVICES,
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING &
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS &
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS OFFICER, AND CITY CLERK
RECOMMENDATION: The Human Resources Department
recommends that the Council, by resolution, amend the City’s Classification and Salary Plan to increase the top of the salary range of the following executive level positions to address pay
compaction/compression issues: Assistant City Manager, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Water Director, Director of Transportation and Public Works, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Housing & Community Services, Human Resources Director, Director of Planning & Economic Development, Chief Communication & Intergovernmental Relations Officer, and City Clerk. This item is requesting appropriations for on-going funding.
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
Staff Report
Resolution
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Attachments:
15. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
This is the time when any person may address the Council on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. This public comment period will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m. and will be limited to twelve speakers selected randomly by the Mayor. Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes. Speakers who do not have an opportunity to speak during this time will be allowed to make public comment under Agenda Item 19.
LATE CORRESPONDENCE
Late Correspondence (Uploaded 12-16-2025)Attachments:
16. REPORT ITEMS
16.1 REPORT - COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD (CAB) WORK PLAN
AND ANNUAL REPORT
BACKGROUND: Established in 2002 by City Charter, CAB was created to represent community perspectives on issues of interest to the City Council. Over the years, CAB has undergone several structural changes, including Resolution RES-2024-200, which restructured CAB to seven district-based members. The work plan was adopted in March 2025 and extended through 2027 in November to align with Council’s goal-setting cycle.
RECOMMENDATION: The Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Office (CIRO) and the Community Advisory Board (CAB) recommend that the Council, by motion, approve the 2025-2027 CAB Work Plan and accept the 2025 CAB Annual Report.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - CAB 2025-2027 Work Plan
Attachment 2 - CAB 2025 Annual Report
Presentation
Attachments:
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
16.2 REPORT - AMENDED FEE SCHEDULES FOR THE PARKING
DIVISION RATE ADJUSTMENTS CORRECTION (THIS ITEM WAS
PUBLISHED ON THE PRELIMINARY AGENDA AS A PUBLIC
HEARING AS ITEM 17.1 AND IS NOW BEING HEARD AS A
REPORT ITEM AS A PUBLIC HEARING IS NOT REQUIRED)
BACKGROUND: This action is intended to finalize the amendments to the Parking District fee schedules recommended by the Finance Department. It follows the Public Hearing held on November 4, 2025, and the Study Session on September 9, 2025. The original Exhibits A and B attached to Resolution No. RES-2025-180 contained clerical errors, which this action now resolves.
RECOMMENDATION: The Finance Department recommends that the Council, by resolution, approve the amended fee schedules for the Parking District. These schedules, Exhibits A and B, apply to all on-street and off-street parking and the amendments address clerical errors related to the effective date of the rate adjustments as well as the omission of the Premium Zone Lot fee. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - RES-2025-180 with Original Exhibits
Attachment 2 - Redline to Exhibit A
Attachment 3 - Redline to Exhibit B
Resolution
Exhibit A - Schedule of Parking Fees-Revised
Exhibit B - Schedule of Parking Fines and Penalties-Revised Presentation
Attachments:
16.3 REPORT - WATER SUPPLY ASSESSMENT FOR THE WOODLANDS
AT CHANATE
BACKGROUND: The State of California, per SB 610, requires that water suppliers provide a Water Supply Assessment (WSA) to planning agencies for any proposed projects which are subject to CEQA and would demand an amount of water equivalent to or greater than the amount of water required by a 500-dwelling unit project. The proposed Project, Woodlands at Chanate, is subject to CEQA and has an Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
increase of 660.5 residential dwelling units over the current Santa Rosa General Plan.
RECOMMENDATION: Santa Rosa Water recommends that the
Council, by resolution, approve the Water Supply Assessment for the Woodlands at Chanate. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Resolution
Exhibit A - Water Supply Assessment for Woodlands at Chanate Presentation
Attachments:
16.4 REPORT - CODE ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS TO THE
CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE
BACKGROUND: Every three years the State of California updates the California Code of Regulations, Title 24 (CCR-T24) including its thirteen-component building and safety codes (collectively, the California Building Standards Code). Through the State code adoption cycle, the State of California adopts and publishes amendments to national model codes and updates codes specific to California. Such model codes with State amendments and California specific codes go into effect in every city and county in the State of California 180 days after publication. The new California Building Standards (CCR-T24) was published on July 1, 2025 and will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Similarly, every three years the International Code Council updates the International Property Maintenance Code with the most recent update occurring in 2024. Adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code is at the discretion of the local agency. In addition. The Health and Safety Code allows local jurisdictions to change or modify the State adopted model codes based on local geologic, climatic, or topographic conditions. The Planning and Economic Development Department is requesting adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code as well as the updated 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, with certain local amendments and administrative changes.
RECOMMENDATION: The Planning and Economic Development
Department recommends that the Council: 1) introduce an ordinance Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
adopting by reference, with local amendments, the 2025 California Administrative Code, 2025 California Building Code, 2025 California Residential Code, 2025 California Green Building Standards Code, 2025 California Electrical Code, 2025 California Mechanical Code, 2025 California Plumbing Code, 2025 California Energy Code, 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, 2025 California Historical Building Code, 2025 California Existing Building Code, 2025 California Referenced Standards Code, 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit and Waste Discharge Requirements; 2) adopt a resolution setting a public hearing on January 13, 2026, for adoption of the ordinances. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget. Ordinance entitled:
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA
ADOPTING BY REFERENCE, WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, THE
2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA
BUILDING CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, 2025
CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL
CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA
ENERGY CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE,
2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA
REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE, 2024 INTERNATIONAL
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, 2025 CALIFORNIA
WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, AND THE NATIONAL
POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION PERMIT AND WASTE
DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS.
Staff Report
Resolution
Ordinance
Presentation
Attachments:
16.5 REPORT - RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ROSA CENSURING COUNCIL MEMBER DIANNA
MACDONALD
BACKGROUND: The Code of Conduct for Council Members and Board and Commission Members (“Code of Conduct”) requires that City Council Members adhere to the highest standards of respect, Council Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
Policies, civility, and honesty in ensuring the effective maintenance of intergovernmental relationships and treat others with respect to maintain public confidence in City government. The City’s Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention Policy (“Anti-Harassment Policy”) is intended to prohibit and prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the City’s workplace. The Anti-Harassment Policy sets forth procedures for reporting, investigating, and resolving complaints of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in the workplace, and for protecting City employees who make such complaints or participate in workplace investigations. Among other things, the Anti-Harassment Policy requires City managers and supervisors to model appropriate behavior, take all steps necessary to prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation from occurring, receive complaints in a fair and serious manner, take appropriate action to stop potential policy violations, implement appropriate disciplinary and remedial actions, and participate in appropriate periodic training.
In June 2025, the City received allegations that Council Member Dianna MacDonald engaged in allegedly negative and offensive behavior towards City employees that appeared motivated by the Council Member’s publicly-known, consensual romantic relationship with a different City employee (“Consensual Relationship”). The City followed procedures set forth in the Anti-Harassment Policy and referred the matter to outside independent attorney investigator (“Investigator”) who conducted a confidential, independent and objective workplace investigation.
The Investigator concluded it was more likely than not that Council Member MacDonald engaged in negative behavior towards City employees because of her Consensual Relationship, made
unwelcomed remarks of a sexual nature about her Consensual Relationship to City employees, and attempted to influence a City operational decision based on her perception that it may benefit her romantic partner. Based on those findings, the Investigator further concluded that it was more likely than not that Council Member MacDonald’s conduct violated the Anti-Harassment Policy.
Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
RECOMMENDATION: Based on direction from City Council, the City Attorney brings forward this item for City Council to consider whether, in light of the findings of an independent attorney workplace investigator, to adopt a resolution: 1) censuring (which means publicly admonishing) Council Member MacDonald; 2) urging Council Member MacDonald to re-commit to her obligations under the Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy; 3) directing the City Manager to implement any further reasonable and appropriate operational steps in response to the Investigator’s findings; 4) directing the City Manager to bring forward for Council’s consideration any recommended changes to the Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy; 5) directing the City Manager to schedule a study session for Council to provide direction about a possible new policy to address intimate relationships between Council Members and City employees; and 6) directing the City Manager to prepare and provide, by March 31, 2026, additional training for Council Members related to the investigator’s findings. This item has no impact on current fiscal year budget.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Council Policy 000-51
Attachment 2 - Council Policy 700-03
Resolution
Resolution 1_Redlined (Uploaded 12-16-2025)
Resolution 1_Final (Uploaded 12-16-2025)
Resolution 2_Redlined (Uploaded 12-16-2025)
Resolution 2_Final (Uploaded 12-16-2025)
Presentation (Uploaded 12-16-2025)
Attachments:
17. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE.
Public Hearing matters will begin no earlier than 5:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matters are reached on the agenda.
18. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - NONE.
19. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS
This is the time when any person may address the Council on matters not listed on this agenda, but which are within the subject matter jurisdiction of Regular Meeting Agenda and Summary Report
City of Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 16, 2025City Council
the Council and not able to speak under Agenda Item 15. Each speaker will be allowed up to three minutes.
20. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONTINUED CLOSED SESSION ITEMS, RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION IN THE MAYOR’S CONFERENCE ROOM, RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS [IF NEEDED]
21. ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
22. UPCOMING MEETINGS
This schedule is tentative and subject to change pending final publication and posting of the City Council Meeting Agenda.
22.1 UPCOMING MEETINGS LIST
Upcoming Meetings ListAttachments:
*Did not appear on the preliminary agenda.
**Quasi-judicial or adjudicative action, ex-parte communication disclosure is required.
The Open Government Ordinance was adopted by City Council in December 2020 (ORD-2020-018) and amended in July 2021 (ORD-2021-007). These ordinances added and amended Chapter 1-10 to the City Code to codify the City of Santa Rosa's commitment to embrace a culture of open government to ensure public trust, engage the community, and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. To view a full versions of the Open Government Ordinances go to http://srcity.org/OpenGovOrdinance and http://srcity.org/OpenGovOrdinanceAmend. To request paper copies of the Open Government Ordinances contact the City Clerk's Office at 707-543-3015 (TTY Relay at 711) or [email protected].
The City of Santa Rosa does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities in its employment, services, benefits, facilities, programs, or activities. Requests for accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services necessary to participate in a City program, service, or activity, including printed information in alternate formats, are available by contacting the City Clerk's Office at 707-543-3015 (TTY Relay at 711) or [email protected]. If the request is received at least 7 business days prior to the City Council meeting, the copy shall be provided no later than two (2) business days prior to the City Council meeting.
Meeting information can also be accessed via the internet at http://srcity.org Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council prior to this meeting regarding any item on this agenda, excluding closed session items, are available for public review in the City Clerk's Office, Room 10, City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa Ave, during normal business hours.